Low- vs High-Dose Dexamethasone in Suprascapular Nerve Block for Cervical Radicular Pain .
Comparison of efficacy of suprascapular nerve block using local anaesthetic and two different doses of steroid in cervical radicular pain.
J Anaesthesiol Clin Pharmacol . 2025 Jul-Sep;41(3):491-495.Forty patients with cervical radicular pain were randomized to suprascapular nerve block (SSNB) with 8 mg dexamethasone + 0.25% bupivacaine (n=20) or SSNB with 4 mg dexamethasone + 0.25% bupivacaine (n=20). The primary outcome of interest was pain on the numeric rating scale (NRS) at prespecified timepoints. Secondary outcomes of interest included Patient global impression of change (PGIC), number of repeat injections, and adverse events. Outcomes were assessed pre-procedure, 30 min post-procedure, and at 2 weeks, 1, 3, and 6 months. Overall, the results of the study revealed significant within-group pain reductions in both arms, with no between-group differences in NRS or PGIC at any timepoint , similar need for repeat injection, and no serious adverse events. These findings suggest that reducing dexamethasone from 8 mg to 4 mg in SSNB maintains efficacy and safety over 6 months.
Unlock the Full ACE Report
You have access to 4 more FREE articles this month.
Click below to unlock and view this ACE Reports
Unlock Now
Critical appraisals of the latest, high-impact randomized controlled trials and systematic reviews in orthopaedics
Access to OrthoEvidence podcast content, including collaborations with the Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery, interviews with internationally recognized surgeons, and roundtable discussions on orthopaedic news and topics
Subscription to The Pulse, a twice-weekly evidence-based newsletter designed to help you make better clinical decisions
Exclusive access to original content articles, including in-house systematic reviews, and articles on health research methods and hot orthopaedic topics